Porter County coroner identifies pedestrian killed in Portage
Nov 19, 2024
The Porter County Coroner’s Office released the identity Tuesday of the South Haven pedestrian killed after being struck by three cars in Portage as Douglas Smith, 65.
Smith died at the scene late the afternoon of Nov. 13 at the intersection of U.S. 20 and Samuelson Road, according to Portage Police. Police and the coroner’s office said then they were looking for Smith’s next of kin for notification before they released his identity.
“At the time of the crash, it was dark, visibility was low due to rainfall, and the victim was wearing all dark clothing. We do not believe any of the drivers will face criminal charges related to this accident,” police have said.
Around 5:37 p.m. on Nov. 13, Portage Police responded to the intersection of U.S. 20 and Samuelson Road for a report that a pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle. The initial investigation shows that a pedestrian was walking northbound just west of the intersection when he was struck by a westbound sports utility vehicle, police said.
The initial impact threw the victim into the eastbound lanes where he was struck by two eastbound vehicles.
“All of the involved drivers reported the incident to law enforcement and cooperated with investigators. There is no indication that any of the involved motorists were under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” police have said.
An autopsy determined the death was an accident and the cause was multiple blunt force trauma, according to the coroner’s office. Toxicology results are pending.
The Portage Police Department is investigating.